As a kid I remember being out in the woods or fields with my father, grandfather, uncles and cousins. There was always talk of the “old days” when all you had for hunting equipment was what you could scrounge together. While most people carried shotguns (or if very poor – pistols), the real hunter carried his own hunting knives. They were nothing fancy, but they did get the job done when it came time to field dress game (a rather bloody affair).
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Hunting Knives – An American Tradition
Made for hunters by hunters, the American hunting knife is a thing of beauty to behold, and deadly in use. There are many types, sizes and styles of hunting knives. The only real requirement for them is that each knife must be suited to the task required in its use – but made by an individual who knows what he/she is doing when it comes to making a blade.
The Tools Of The Trade
A good hunter, if he wants to field dress game, needs nothing more than his own two hands and then one or more of these hunting knives. But there are times when things will go wrong no matter how well you plan ahead. That’s when you need tools with which to improvise in order to get the job done right. When any normal person thinks of “improvising”, they think of something like a pencil or penknife carried on your person. But I want to share with you some of the many everyday items that can be used “in the field” as field dressing tools.
Tools Of The Trade
A good example would be an automobile, or truck tool box set on end, trapping a knife blade inside between two locked pieces. This provides you with a sturdy handle for your knives and plenty of room to put any other bits’n’pieces you might need when gutting game – like matches, compass, first aid kit, wire saw or even some rope. It’s always nice to have something like this available in one form or another – right up until the time you really need it.
Always Ready
It’s great if you carry your little “cheat sheet” of animal parts in your wallet or pocket, but be sure to also carry a couple backup copies in the field. Better get one too many than not enough! Another thing that can really lighten your load is making sure all your hunting knives are properly cleaned and oiled before putting them away for any length of time.
Safety Last?
Most folks know what can happen if you don’t pay attention while handling sharp knives – especially when out in the woods. It’s easy to take chances because of this. But one slip could be fatal! Hunters need to respect their equipment just as much as they do their rifles or shotguns. One way you can ensure that only YOU touch the knives is by using good quality sheaths made for each knife. They can be made from heavy leather, or the type of material used to make gun scabbards.
Your hunting knives are just as important to you – and your hunting buddies – as any other piece of equipment you carry into the field. Don’t treat them lightly, don’t get sloppy with them around game – especially when they’re in your hand! You’ll never regret having too many tools or too much equipment . . . but it would be a very good idea if you could ever say that about your need for another set of hands!
What is the best hunter knife?
Since there are so many different hunting knives, it is hard to say which one is the best. The best knife depends on personal preferences and needs.
For example, a gut hook or locking blade knife is recommended for field dressing game, while a straight-edge knife with rubber grips is good for skinning animal hides. A smaller deer hunter pocket knife would be fine for cleaning small game like rabbit or squirrels – while folding hunters are ideal when you need more blades in your hunting toolbox.
Hunting Knife Design Details
A drop point hunter’s knife is great for skinning big game with that curved section of sharpened edge before the point – perfect for cutting through sinew and tough hide without accidentally puncturing internal organs. The knife’s handle has to fit the hunter’s hand so you get a grip on it without slipping. It also must be light enough for you to carry all day, while having the right balance between the blade and handle so your hunting knife doesn’t feel too short or too long in your hand.
The Gerber multi-tool is one of Gerber’s best hunting knives. With several different blades, pliers and other tools built into this clip-point folding knife you can do many tasks with just one tool. It has a fine edge drop point blade for skinning game, but also includes two serrated blades – great for cutting through tough hide, sinew or bones.
What is hunting knife used for?
Hunting knives are used for many purposes, depending on the type of hunting you do. Hunting knives can be used to gut the animal after it has been killed, skin it if necessary, field dress it or clean it.
What is a good size hunting knife?
For deer hunting, a good size knife is about 4″ to 7″. This is large enough for field dressing. Smaller knives are fine for smaller jobs like cleaning squirrels or rabbits.
How do you sharpen a hunting knife?
Sharpening your hunting knife depends on the type of steel used in the blade and whether it’s serrated or straight. If it has a serrated edge, you can’t sharpen it with a sharpening stone; instead, send the knife back to the manufacturer and they will do it for you. Hunting knives with straight blades can be sent back as well if they become dull during use.
If your hunting knife is made of stainless steel, you can use a whetstone for sharpening. This is the same type of stone used to sharpen your kitchen knives, but you must keep it wet when using it to sharpen your hunting knife.
How do you clean a hunting knife?
Hunting knives with wooden or plastic handles can be cleaned with hot soapy water and then dried. If you use your knife to gut a deer, clean it with a bleach solution and rinse the blade thoroughly with water before storing it. Hunting knives with rubber handles should not be cleaned in bleach or any other chemical cleaner because some of these chemicals can leach into the rubber after time; instead, make sure the hunting knife is dried off completely before you store it.
What is a sparrow hunting knife?
A sparrow hunting knife is a specific type of skinning knife designed to be used in the field when deer hunting. The curved blade makes it easy to cut through deer hide and membrane while removing the entire deer coat in one piece. You can also use this type of knife to slice off any excess fat or tissue from the deer carcass after the skinning process.
Folding hunting knives and regular pocketknives can also be used to field dress a deer, but they don’t work as well and usually require two people – one to hold the carcass steady while the other cuts through muscle and tendon with the folding knife.
A sparrow hunting knife is more easily maneuvered by one person with the blade curved away from the hunter as he works. For this reason it is a very popular choice for hunters who field dress their own deer.
What is a bird’s beak knife for?
A bird’s beak knife or dressing knife is used to cut the skin of a game bird close to the body cavity. This allows you to easily remove the bird’s feathers without tearing them. It also makes it easy to slice through ribs and breastbones, which can be hard on your hands when using regular knives.
What is a bird knife?
A bird knife is another name for a sparrow hunting knife.
What are the two most common metals used for hunting knives?
The two most common metals used for hunting knives are stainless steel and high carbon steel.
What is a good knife for hunting?
A good quality hunting knife will be well-balanced and sharp. It should have a straight edge as opposed to serrated, because it can’t be sharpened at home or in the field if it does become dull during use.
What is the best deer skinning knife?
The best deer skinning knife will be between 4″ and 7″ in length because it’s long enough to slice through muscle and tendon, but not so large as to cause fatigue during use. It must also be sharp and easy to handle without slipping.
What is a gut hook hunting knife?
A gut hook hunting knife has a blade sharpened on both sides to make cutting out the deer’s internal organs easier. After being field dressed, all you have to do with this type of knife is lay the deer flat on its belly and slice through its hide in a straight line from just behind the rib cage down to the animal’s genitals.
What is a good length for a hunting knife?
The best length for a hunting knife is between 5″ and 7″. It should be strong enough to cut through muscle, tendon, hide and membrane without requiring too much effort.
What are the two main types of knives used when deer hunting?
The two main types of knives used when deer hunting are folding knives and fixed blade knives. The folding knife is easy to carry in your pocket, but often requires two hands to work it because the blade will fold closed if you push too hard. A fixed blade hunting knife can be used one-handed.
How much should a good hunting knife cost?
A good hunting knife will cost between $100 and $200 depending on the quality of its materials.
